THE FIRST BOOK:

INTRODUCTORY (Pages 1-3)

[A right worshipful friend of Sir Thomas More’s sent a confidential and learned friend of his, hereinafter called the Messenger, to ask his advice on matters of faith which, though certain enough in themselves, had lately been called in question. More at first thought it enough to give his advice to the Messenger by word of mouth; but after the man had left he judged it more prudent to write out all that had passed between them and send it on to his friend. But even that proved insufficient. For copies of what he had written were carried abroad and were there in danger of being tampered with by enemies of the faith. So, finally, he determined to publish his manuscript. But before doing this he had been careful to take the advice of friends more learned than himself in theological matters about everything he had written. Furthermore he was in doubt as to whether the Messenger’s arguments against the Church ought to be published; and also as to whether “certain tales and merry words,” usual enough at that time, in private conversation, should be included. And since the friends whom he had consulted on all these points were seldom in full agreement as to what should be changed or omitted, he let nothing stand except by the consent of the greater number.] 1

THE FIRST CHAPTER (Pages 4-12)

1 Editor’s insertion.